Conagra has voluntarily recalled four varieties of Duncan Hines-branded cake mixes from US retailers and some international exports due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

The impacted products, including Classic White, Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow, are all 15.25oz each with expiration dates between March 7 and 13, 2018.

The recall was issued after a DNA analysis revealed that Salmonella in one of Duncan Hine’s samples matched the bacteria that caused five people to fall ill, currently under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to Conagra, some consumers became ill after consuming a cake mix. Some may even have consumed the mix without baking it.

The company said: ‘Consumers are reminded not to consume any raw batter. Cake mixes and batter can be made with ingredients such as eggs or flour, which can carry risks of bacteria that are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling.​

‘Consumers are [also] reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw batter products, to follow baking instructions, and to never eat raw batter.’​

The FDA noted that approximately 400 people in the US die each year from acute Salmonellosis, with children younger than five years old being the most vulnerable.

The federal agency advised consumers to throw away any of the above products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.